87R20945 EAS-F By: Price H.B. No. 1824 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1824: By: Klick C.S.H.B. No. 1824 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the continuity of services received by individuals receiving services at state hospitals and state supported living centers, the establishment of a pilot program to provide behavioral health or psychiatric services to certain residential care facility residents, and court orders for psychoactive medication for certain patients. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 574.102, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 574.102. APPLICATION OF SUBCHAPTER. (a) This subchapter applies to the application of medication to a patient: (1) subject to a court order for mental health services under this chapter or other law; or (2) transferred from a residential care facility to an inpatient mental health facility under Section 594.032. (b) For purposes of this subchapter, a reference to a patient includes a person described by Subsection (a). SECTION 2. The heading to Section 574.103, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 574.103. ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION TO PATIENT UNDER COURT-ORDERED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OR TRANSFERRED FROM A RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY TO AN INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY. SECTION 3. Section 574.103(b), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A person may not administer a psychoactive medication to a patient under court-ordered inpatient mental health services or to a person transferred from a residential care facility to an inpatient mental health facility under Section 594.032 who refuses to take the medication voluntarily unless: (1) the patient is having a medication-related emergency; (2) the patient is under an order issued under Section 574.106 or 592.156 authorizing the administration of the medication regardless of the patient's refusal; or (3) the patient is a ward who is 18 years of age or older and the guardian of the person of the ward consents to the administration of psychoactive medication regardless of the ward's expressed preferences regarding treatment with psychoactive medication. SECTION 4. Sections 574.104(a) and (b), Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) A physician who is treating a patient in an inpatient setting may, on behalf of the state, file an application in a probate court or a court with probate jurisdiction for an order to authorize the administration of a psychoactive medication regardless of the patient's refusal if: (1) the physician believes that the patient lacks the capacity to make a decision regarding the administration of the psychoactive medication; (2) the physician determines that the medication is the proper course of treatment for the patient; (3) the patient is: (A) under an order for inpatient mental health services under this chapter or other law; (B) transferred from a residential care facility to an inpatient mental health facility under Section 594.032; or (C) the subject of a filed [an] application for court-ordered mental health services under Section 574.034 or [, 574.0345,] 574.035 [, or 574.0355 has been filed for the patient]; and (4) the patient, verbally or by other indication, refuses to take the medication voluntarily. (b) An application filed under this section must state: (1) that the physician believes that the patient lacks the capacity to make a decision regarding administration of the psychoactive medication and the reasons for that belief; (2) each medication the physician wants the court to compel the patient to take; (3) whether an application for court-ordered mental health services under Section 574.034, 574.0345, 574.035, or 574.0355 has been filed; (4) whether a court order described by Subsection (a)(3) for [inpatient mental health] services for the patient has been issued and, if so, under what authority it was issued; (5) the physician's diagnosis of the patient; and (6) the proposed method for administering the medication and, if the method is not customary, an explanation justifying the departure from the customary methods. SECTION 5. Sections 574.106(a) and (a-1), Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) The court may issue an order authorizing the administration of one or more classes of psychoactive medication to a patient who: (1) is described by Section 574.102(a) [under a court order to receive inpatient mental health services]; or (2) is in custody awaiting trial in a criminal proceeding and was ordered to receive inpatient mental health services in the six months preceding a hearing under this section. (a-1) The court may issue an order under this section only if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence after the hearing: (1) that the patient lacks the capacity to make a decision regarding the administration of the proposed medication and treatment with the proposed medication is in the best interest of the patient; or (2) if the patient was ordered to receive inpatient mental health services by a criminal court with jurisdiction over the patient, that treatment with the proposed medication is in the best interest of the patient and either: (A) the patient presents a danger to the patient or others in the inpatient mental health facility in which the patient is being treated as a result of a mental illness [disorder or mental defect] as determined under Section 574.1065; or (B) the patient: (i) has remained confined in a correctional facility, as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, for a period exceeding 72 hours while awaiting transfer for competency restoration treatment; and (ii) presents a danger to the patient or others in the correctional facility as a result of a mental illness [disorder or mental defect] as determined under Section 574.1065. SECTION 6. Section 574.107, Health and Safety Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: (a) The costs for a hearing under this subchapter for a patient committed under this chapter shall be paid in accordance with Sections 571.017 and 571.018. (c) The costs for a hearing under this subchapter for a patient committed under Chapter 593 shall be paid by the county that ordered the commitment under that chapter. SECTION 7. Section 574.110, Health and Safety Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a) An [Except as provided by Subsection (b), an] order issued under Section 574.106 for a patient that is committed under this chapter, other than a patient to whom Subsection (a-1) or (b) applies, expires on the expiration or termination date of the order for temporary or extended mental health services in effect when the order for psychoactive medication is issued. (a-1) An order issued under Section 574.106 for a patient that is committed under Chapter 593 expires as provided by Section 592.160. SECTION 8. Section 576.025(a), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) A person may not administer a psychoactive medication to a patient receiving voluntary or involuntary mental health services who refuses the administration unless: (1) the patient is having a medication-related emergency; (2) the patient is younger than 16 years of age, or the patient is younger than 18 years of age and is a patient admitted for voluntary mental health services under Section 572.002(3)(B), and the patient's parent, managing conservator, or guardian consents to the administration on behalf of the patient; (3) the refusing patient's representative authorized by law to consent on behalf of the patient has consented to the administration; (4) the administration of the medication regardless of the patient's refusal is authorized by an order issued under Section 574.106 or 592.156; or (5) the administration of the medication regardless of the patient's refusal is authorized by an order issued under Article 46B.086, Code of Criminal Procedure. SECTION 9. Section 592.152(a), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) A person may not administer a psychoactive medication to a client receiving voluntary or involuntary residential care services who refuses the administration unless: (1) the client is having a medication-related emergency; (2) the refusing client's representative authorized by law to consent on behalf of the client has consented to the administration; (3) the administration of the medication regardless of the client's refusal is authorized by an order issued under Section 574.106 or 592.156; or (4) the administration of the medication regardless of the client's refusal is authorized by an order issued under Article 46B.086, Code of Criminal Procedure. SECTION 10. Section 592.153(b), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A person may not administer a psychoactive medication to a client who refuses to take the medication voluntarily unless: (1) the client is having a medication-related emergency; (2) the client is under an order issued under Section 574.106 or 592.156 authorizing the administration of the medication regardless of the client's refusal; or (3) the client is a ward who is 18 years of age or older and the guardian of the person of the ward consents to the administration of psychoactive medication regardless of the ward's expressed preferences regarding treatment with psychoactive medication. SECTION 11. Chapter 594, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subchapter D to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER D. TEMPORARY TRANSFER BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES PILOT PROGRAM Sec. 594.101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Alternate residential care facility" means a residential care facility other than the one in which a resident resides prior to a temporary transfer. (2) "Local intellectual and developmental disability authority" has the meaning assigned by Section 531.002. (3) "Originating residential care facility" means the residential care facility at which the resident resides prior to a temporary transfer. (4) "State supported living center" has the meaning assigned by Section 531.002. (5) "Temporary transfer" means the transfer of a resident from the originating residential care facility to an alternate residential care facility to receive behavioral health or psychiatric services for a limited time. Sec. 594.102. TEMPORARY TRANSFERS BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The commission may establish a pilot program for the purpose of providing for temporary transfers of residents from originating residential care facilities to alternate residential care facilities to provide behavioral health or psychiatric services for those residents. The pilot program must include: (1) one alternate residential care facility for psychiatric services; and (2) one or two alternate residential care facilities for intensive behavioral health services. (b) The executive commissioner, in consultation with the work group described by Section 594.103, by rule shall specify the types of information the commission must collect during the pilot program to: (1) evaluate the outcome of the pilot program; (2) ensure the rights of persons in the pilot program are commensurate with the rights of persons at the originating facility, as appropriate; and (3) ensure services provided under the pilot program meet the applicable requirements under Section 594.108(c)(4) and 594.109(f)(4). Sec. 594.103. WORK GROUP MEMBERS. If a pilot program is established under this subchapter, the executive commissioner shall establish a work group to consult in adopting the rules described by Section 594.102(b). The work group is composed of: (1) two representatives who are intellectual disability advocates, one of whom is from Disability Rights Texas; (2) one representative from a local intellectual and developmental disability authority; (3) a board certified behavioral analyst with expertise working with individuals with intellectual disabilities; (4) a psychiatrist with expertise working with individuals with intellectual disabilities; (5) a psychologist with expertise working with individuals with intellectual disabilities; (6) a current or former resident of a state supported living center; (7) a family member or guardian of a current or former resident of a state supported living center; and (8) any other individual the executive commissioner considers appropriate to appoint to the work group. Sec. 594.104. TEMPORARY TRANSFER LIMITATIONS. A temporary transfer under a pilot program established under this subchapter may not be considered a permanent transfer and is not a discharge from the originating residential care facility. Sec. 594.105. TEMPORARY TRANSFER OF VOLUNTARY RESIDENT. A voluntary resident may not be temporarily transferred to an alternate residential care facility under a pilot program under this subchapter without legally adequate consent to the transfer. Sec. 594.106. RETURN OF RESIDENT. A resident shall be returned to the originating residential care facility after participating in a pilot program under this subchapter. The originating residential care facility shall maintain a vacancy for the resident while the resident participates in the pilot program. Sec. 594.107. TRANSFER OR DISCHARGE OF RESIDENT. A resident who is transferred to an alternate residential care facility under a pilot program under this subchapter who no longer requires treatment at a residential care facility may be transferred to an alternative placement or discharged directly from the alternate residential care facility without returning to the originating residential care facility. Sec. 594.108. ALTERNATE RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY FOR PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES. (a) Before the temporary transfer of a resident to an alternate psychiatric residential care unit under a pilot program under this subchapter, the resident must be examined by a licensed psychiatrist who indicates that the resident is presenting with symptoms of mental illness to the extent that care, treatment, and rehabilitation cannot be provided in the originating residential care facility. (b) The commission may transfer a resident under a pilot program under this subchapter for an initial period not to exceed 60 days for the purposes of receiving psychiatric services. (c) The alternate residential care facility for psychiatric services operated under a pilot program under this subchapter must: (1) use an interdisciplinary treatment team to provide clinical treatment that is: (A) directed toward lessening the signs and symptoms of mental illness; and (B) similar to the clinical treatment provided at a state psychiatric hospital; (2) employ or contract for the services of at least one psychiatrist who has expertise in diagnosing and treating persons with intellectual disabilities; (3) employ a board certified behavioral analyst who has expertise in diagnosing and treating persons with intellectual disabilities; (4) assign staff members to residents participating in the pilot program at an average ratio not to exceed: (A) three residents to one direct support professional during the day and evening; and (B) six residents to one direct support professional over night; (5) provide additional training to direct support professionals working on the alternate psychiatric care unit regarding the service delivery system for residents served on that unit; and (6) ensure that each psychiatric unit complies with the requirements for ICF-IID certification under the Medicaid program, as appropriate. Sec. 594.109. ALTERNATE RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), before the temporary transfer of a resident to an intensive behavioral health unit under a pilot program under this subchapter, an interdisciplinary team must determine whether the resident is an individual who, despite an interdisciplinary team having on two or more occasions developed or revised an interdisciplinary team action plan in response to the occurrence of a significant event described by Subsection (b), and appropriate treatment and implementation of the plan, including treatment targeted to the individual's challenging behaviors, remains likely to cause substantial bodily injury to others and requires an intensive behavioral health environment to continue treatment and protect other residents or the general public. (b) For purposes of Subsection (a), a significant event includes: (1) the rate of the resident's challenging behavior has remained consistently above baseline for at least four of six months after implementation of the interdisciplinary team action plan; and (2) either: (A) the intensity of the resident's behavior has caused serious injury to others; or (B) the resident's physical aggression towards others has resulted in more than three crisis restraints in the last 30 days. (c) The associate commissioner of the commission with responsibility for state supported living centers may make an exception to admission criteria to require a resident to participate in a pilot program under this subchapter. The exception must be based on a determination that the resident's behavior poses an imminent threat to others. (d) In making a determination under Subsection (a), the interdisciplinary team shall document and collect evidence regarding the reason the resident requires an intensive behavioral health environment to continue treatment and protect other residents or the general public. (e) The interdisciplinary team shall provide the team's findings, including any documentation and evidence regarding the proposed resident, regarding whether the proposed resident should participate in a pilot program under this subchapter to: (1) the associate commissioner of the commission with responsibility for state supported living centers; (2) the director of the state supported living center; (3) the independent ombudsman; (4) the resident or the resident's parent, if the resident is a minor; and (5) the resident's legally authorized representative. (f) An alternate residential care facility for behavioral health services operated under a pilot program under this subchapter must: (1) use an interdisciplinary treatment team that is specially trained to provide clinical treatment designed to serve residents who meet criteria for the pilot program; (2) employ board certified behavioral analysts with expertise in diagnosing and treating persons with intellectual disabilities to provide a ratio of one analyst serving each twelve beds full-time in accordance with commission rules providing appropriate procedures for maintaining that ratio; (3) employ a professional qualified to provide counseling consistent with evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment; (4) assign staff members to residents participating in the program at an average ratio not to exceed: (A) three residents to one direct support professional during the day and evening; and (B) six residents to one direct support professional at night; (5) provide additional training to direct support professionals working at the alternate residential care facility regarding the service delivery system for residents served at that facility; and (6) ensure that the intensive behavioral health units comply with the requirements for ICF-IID certification under the Medicaid program, as appropriate. (g) Except as provided by Subsection (h), a resident transfer to an alternate residential care facility for behavioral health services under a pilot program under this subchapter may not exceed six months. (h) The initial period described by Subsection (g) may be extended by an additional, one-time period of three months if: (1) an interdisciplinary team determines: (A) the resident meets the standard for admission under this section; and (B) an extension of the initial period will likely enable the resident to no longer meet the criteria for the pilot program within the period of the extension; and (2) the extension is approved by the associate commissioner of the commission with responsibility for state supported living centers. (i) Except as provided by Subsection (k), if at any time during a resident's temporary transfer to a pilot program under this subchapter, the interdisciplinary treatment team determines that the resident no longer requires an intensive behavioral health environment to continue treatment and protect public safety, the resident shall be transferred back to the originating residential care facility not later than the seventh day after the date the interdisciplinary team makes that determination. (j) Except as provided by Subsection (k), at the end of the period described by Subsection (g) or (h), as applicable, the resident shall be returned to the originating residential care facility not later than the seventh day after the expiration of that period. (k) If the associate commissioner of the commission with responsibility for state supported living centers determines that there are extenuating circumstances preventing the transfer within the period described by Subsection (i) or (j), as applicable, the associate commissioner may extend the applicable period by an additional three days and may extend each of those additional three-day periods by an additional three days for as long as the occurrence of those extenuating circumstances prevent the resident's transfer. For purposes of this subsection, "extenuating circumstances" include extremely hazardous weather conditions or another disaster that prevents the timely transfer of a resident. Sec. 594.110. ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS. (a) A resident is entitled to an expedited administrative hearing under Section 594.015 to challenge the resident's required participation under Section 594.109(c) in a pilot program under this subchapter. The hearing must be held not later than seven days after the date the associate commissioner determines that the resident should participate in the pilot program. (b) A resident who is subject to a transfer decision described by Section 594.109 is entitled to an administrative hearing under Section 594.015. The hearing shall be limited to determining whether the transfer decision complies with Section 594.109. A resident may waive the right to a hearing, but if a hearing is requested the resident may not be transferred until after the administrative hearing. (c) A resident is entitled to an administrative hearing with the commission to contest an extension described by Section 594.109(h). Sec. 594.111. RIGHT TO APPEAL. An individual may appeal a decision made at a hearing described by Section 594.110 by filing the appeal in a district court in Travis County not later than the 30th day after the date a final order is provided to the individual. An appeal under this section is by trial de novo. SECTION 12. Not later than November 1, 2022, the Health and Human Services Commission shall consult with the work group described by Section 594.103, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, and adopt any necessary rules to implement Subchapter D, Chapter 594, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 13. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.